Can-washing machine



H. n. LATHROP AND-W. H, PAULSON.

- CAN WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1919.

1,336,570. Patented pr- 13, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET I.

56 M was ,HLPau flit,

H. D. LATHROP AND w. H. PAULSON.

CAN WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, I9I9.

1,336,570. Pat nted Apr. 13, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IIIHHW IIIIIIHHI' ,I 71/ dzzziajsi.

Win/e336 WaZZe? fflpauam, 5; W In. fl. 4511901 7? g.

H u; LATHROP AND w. H. PAULSON. CAN WASHING MACHINE.

. APPLICATIQNJILED APR-24. I919.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

iro'i'meas ei: 11r

6. 3M, ifalterfiPaul on, Aft 01%;

H. D. LATHROP AND W. H. PAUL'SON.

CAN WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATIOH mm APR. 24. 1 919.

1,386,570, Pat anted Apr. 13, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

iri'itifiefl; I A 17427: 17. La tire w W 42i fir-Paw 025 jawed/521i HARRY D. LATHROP AND WALTER H. PAULSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID PAULSON ASSIGNOR T0 SAID LATHROP.

CAN-WASHING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

Application filed April 24, 1919. Serial No. 292,497.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HARRY D. LATHROP and lVALTnR H. PAULsoN, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Washing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in can washing machines, and more particularly to power-driven can washing machines, and has for its object the provision of-improved means by power.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1, is a horizontal section taken through the forward or feed-in end of a machine embodying the invention,

Fig. 2, an elevation, shown partially in section, of the feed-in end of said machine,

Fig. 3, a vertical longitudinal medial section through the feed-in end of the machine,

Fig. 4, a partial vertical section through the feed-in end of the machine and looking in a direction opposite to that in which Fig. 3 is taken, and

Fig. 5, a detail view of the driving pulley of the'machine and its associated parts.

The preferred form of construction, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a suitable frame 6 having longitudinal tracks 7 in the form of angle irons extending horizontally through the lower portion thereof, a combined drip pan and can feed-in supporting plate 9 being positioned at the feedin end of said tracks. arranged above and at each side of the tracks 7, to facilitate the sliding feed of inverted milkcans along said tracks. The milk cans are fed along said tracks by means pawls or dogsl-l adapted n age the successive cans to feed the same t rough the machine in the usual manner. Likewise, can cover tracks 12 are arranged in the upper portion of the machine above the tracks 7, and are provided with lateral guides 13 to facilitate gravity-operating to automatically e for operating such machinesa corresponding link 21 with Guide rails 8 are or reciprocating angle irons 10 carrying the feed of the can covers along said tracks. The can covers are fed by reciprocating angle irons 14, carrying gravity-operating pawls or dogs 15, serving to intermittently engage the respective can covers and feed the same along the tracks 12. So much of the machine as already described is old and well known, and constitutes no part of the present invention, except in so far as it cooperates with the other parts of the machine.

In the present form of machine, the feed bars 10 and 14: are reciprocated by means of a reciprocating carriage 16 mounted upon suitable rollers or wheels 17 riding upon suitable tracks 18 in the sides of the machine frame 6. Carriage 16 is connected, at each side, by a link l 9 with the upper end of a rocking lever 20 pivoted to the corresponding side of the machine and having its lower end correspondingly connected by the corresponding rocker arm 22 or 22 on a rocker shaft 23 extending transversely through the lower portion of the machine, such arrangement being provided so as to insure simultaneous and uniform operation of the opposite sides of the carriage 16 without binding in the frame of the machine. The rocker arm 22 is connected by a link 24: with the forward end of a reciprocating bar 25 extending longitudinally along one side of the machine, said bar being the usual reciprocating bar arranged along the side of this type of machine for operating various parts thereof. The bar 25 is connected by means of a forwardly extending link 26 with a crank pin 27 on a disk 28 fixed to the end of a drive shaft 29 mounted in the frame of the machine. A drive pulley 30 is loosely mounted on shaft 29 and is operated by means of a suitable belt 31 through suitable gearing connected with a suitable driving motor 32 mounted on top of the frame of the machine, as best indicated in Figs. 2 and '3. The pulley 30 carries clutch member 33 cooperating with a clutch member 34, splined or feathered on shaft 29 and operatively connected with one arm of a bell crank lever 35 pivoted at 36 to the frame of the machine. Bell crank lever 35 carries a stop arm or finger 37 arranged to normally rest in engagement with a notch 38 provided in the periphery of the disk 28 or ride upon the periphery of said disk, said arm being norfinally held in operative engagement with the disk 28 by means of a tension spring 39,-

as shown. The other arm 35 of the bell crank 35 rests against the outer side of a substantially L-shaped lever 40, pivoted at 41 to the frame of the machine and extending into the feed-in end of the machine, where it is provided with a laterally extending arm or finger 42 resting against a cam 43 formed on the outer end of a lever 44 set in the path of cans entering the machine and pivoted at 45 to the corresponding guide rail 8. A spring 46 normally holds the lever 40 in operative contact with the cam 43. The arrangement is such that, as each inverted can is inserted in the machine on the tracks 7 it comes in contact with the lever 44 operating the same, to cause cam 43 to rock lever 40 outwardly, thus operating bell crank 35 to withdraw the arm 37 from notch 38 to release the shaft 39 and throw clutch 34 into driving engagement with the clutch 33 on pulley 30, thus starting the feeding operation of the machine. The feeding operation is effected by the action of crank pin 27 reciprocating bar 25 and consequently carriage 16', which feeds the cans one step or operative space along the tracks 7, resulting in the treatment of the cans in the normal and usual manner by the machine. As disk 28 revolves during this operation, the arm 37 rides upon the periphery thereof, holding the clutch 34 in operative engagement with clutch 33 to continue the feeding operation until notch 38 again arrives in registration with arm 37, whereupon arm 37 drops into said notch under the influence of spring 39, thus releasing clutch members 33 and 34 and automatically stopping the feeding of the cans. An operating handle 46 is also supplied with each machine, so that, if desired, the same may be connected with the operating parts for hand operation when no power is available.

Substantially Z-shaped stop arms or pawls 47 are pivoted at the points 48 to the sides of the carriage 16, extending thence inwardly and laterally, to occupy positions adjacent the outer sides of tracks 7, where they are provided with upwardly extending stop lugs or fingers 49 positioned to limit the extent of insertion of a can to proper position, for engagement by the corresponding pawls 11. The laterally and inwardly extending portions of stop arms 47 ride upon stationary cam blocks 50, secured to the tracks 7, as shown, which permit depression or. retraction of the-stop lugs 49 upon initial feeding motion of the carriage 16, as will be readily understood. As the arms 47 pass off of the cans 50, they pass under cams 51 secured to the outer sides of the guide rails 48 and are thus prevented from accidentally rising into operative positions during the feeding of the cans. By this arrangement, the proper positioning of the limited by the strap 55.

cans in the machine is insured, and the automatic retraction of the posltiomng stops effected to permit of the feed of the cans I into the machine.

An automatic stop arm 52 is also provided, for similarly positioning the covers on the tracks 14. The stop arm 52 is pivotally mounted on the central portion of a transverse rod 53 in the upper portion of carriage l6, and is provided at its inner end with a stop lug 54 positioned between the tracks 14 and properly limiting the extent of insertion of a can cover into the machine. Downward swinging of the stop arm 52 is limited by a strap or loop 55, and the outer end of said stop arm is provided with a cam 56 coiiperating with an angle iron 57 extending laterally across the upper end of the frame 6. By this arrangement, upon inward movement of carriage 16, the cam 56 passes "from under angle 57, thus permitting stop lug 54 to drop out of the way of the inserted cover, such movement being Upon reverse movement of carriage 16, the cam 56 comes in contact with the angle iron 57, raising the stop lug 5.4 into operative position for positioning the next can cover. By this arrangement the feed of the cover through the machine in proper registration with the corresponding can below is insured, thus readily facilitating the replacement of the cover onto the proper can.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for car- ,rying our invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details'of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described our invention, what we claim'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; means for starting operation of said can feeding means; and automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation, substantially as described.

2. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; means. set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable thereby, for starting operation of said can feeding means: and automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation, substantially as described.

3. A can washing machine comprising a can support. and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; a lever set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can; means, operatively connected with said lever, for starting operation of said can feeding means; and automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation, substantially as described'.

4. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; a lever 'set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can; clutch mechanism for throwing said can feeding means into and out of operation; an operative connection between said lever and said clutch mechanism for throwing said clutch into operative engagement upon insertion of a can into the machine; and automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation, substantially as described.

5. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; a lever set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can; a cam on said lever; clutch mechanism controlling the operation of said can feeding means; an operative connection between said cam and said clutch mechanism for throwing said clutch into operative engagement upon insertion of a can in said machine; and auto matic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation, substantially as described.

6. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; means for starting operation of said can feeding means; automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation; and an automatically retracting stop limiting the extent of insertion of a can into said machine, substantially as described.

7. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; means, set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can, for starting operation of said can feeding means; automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation; and an automatically retracting stop limiting the extent of insertion of acan. into said machine, substantially as described.

8. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; a lever set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can; means, operativcly connected with said lever, for starting operation of said can feeding means; automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation; and a n automatically retracting stop limiting the extent of insertion of a can into said machine, substantially as described.

9. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; a lever set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can; clutch mechanism for throwing said can feeding means into and out of operation; an operative connection between said lever and said clutch mechanism for throwing said clutch into operative engagement upon insertion of a can into the machine; automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation;and an automatically retracting stop limiting the extent of insertion of a can into said machine, substantially as described.

10. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; a lever set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can; a cam on said lever; clutch mechanism controlling the operation of said can feeding means; an operative connection between said cam and said clutch mechanism for throwing said clutch into operative engagement upon insertion of a can in said machine; automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation; and an automatically retracting stop limiting the extent of insertion of a can into said machine, scribed.

11. A can washing machine comprising a can support, and means for intermittently feeding cans along said support; and an automatically retracting stop limiting the extent of insertion of a can into said machine, substantially as described.

12. A can washing machine comprising a can support; a can cover support; and means for intermittently feeding cans and can covers along saidsupports; and automatically retracting stops limiting the extent of insertion of articles onto said supports, substantially as described.

13. A can washing machine comprising a can support, a can cover support, and means for intermittently feeding cans and can covers along said supports; means, set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can, for starting operation of said can and can cover feeding means, and automatic means for stopping said feeding means after one feeding operation, substantially as described.

14. A can washing machine comprising a lower can slide, a can cover slide located above said can slide, and means for intermittently sliding cans and can covers along their respective slides; a reciprocating carriage operating said can and said can cover feeding means: automatically retracting stops limiting the extent of insertion of a substantially as decan or can cover into said machine; a lover, set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can; a cam carried by said lever; and a clutch controlling the reciprocations of said carriage, said clutch being operatively connected with said cam, substantially as described.

15. A can washing machine comprising a lower can slide, a can cover slide located above said can slide, and means for intermittently sliding cans and can covers along their respective slides; a reciprocating carriage operating said can and said can cover feeding means; automatically retracting stops limiting the extent of insertion of articles onto said supports; a lever set in the path of a can entering said machine and operable by said can; a cam carried by said lever; a clutch controlling the reciprocations of said carriage, said clutch being operatively connected with said cam; a drive shaft; a driving piilley loose on said drive shaft and carrying a clutch member; a

clutch splined on said drive shaft and cooperating with said pulley clutch; a lever operatively said drive shaft and with said cam; a disk fixed to said drive shaft and having a notch in the periphery thereof; an arm on the lever connected with said clutch operating in the notch in said disk or riding upon the periphery thereof; a spring normally holding said arm in engagement with said notch; a crank pin on said disk; and an operative connection between said crank pin and said crank for reciprocating the same, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY D. LATHROR WALTER H. PAULSON.

Witnesses:

JOSHUA R. H. Porrs, B. G. RICHARDS.

connected with the clutch on 

